Devers was the #3 international prospect last summer and signed for $1.5 mil, the biggest bonus the Sox have given to a Latin American player since Vinicio and Iglesias in '09 (Lin signed for $2mil in '12). He turned 17 in October.
BA blurb:
SP.com:
Devers was reportedly very impressive at fall instrux and Sox Prospects is projecting him to begin in the GCL, which would be nice in terms of getting eyes on him rather than relying on those semi-mysterious DSL numbers. Doesn't sound nearly as raw as Almanzar, the last corner infield bat they splurged on way back in '07. Since then, most of the money has gone to shortstops, centerfielders, and pitchers with a brief interlude in 2010 for the Cubans Ibarra and Linares.
Definitely will be one of the most interesting prospects below AA to follow. In a somewhat related note, the projected Salem lineup is an absolute wasteland, with some moderately interesting pitchers preventing the team from being a total black hole.
BA blurb:
Devers, 16, is the most advanced lefthanded hitter on the international market. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, he has a compact swing and good bat speed. Devers played in the International Prospect League and trains with Javier Rodriguez and Rudy Santin.
SP.com:
Very good bat speed and an advanced approach at the plate. Has reportedly grown two inches and gained twenty-five pounds since January 2013. Average present power with the potential for plus power as he matures. Defense is below-average. May need to move to first base in the future, especially if he experiences another growth spurt.
Devers was reportedly very impressive at fall instrux and Sox Prospects is projecting him to begin in the GCL, which would be nice in terms of getting eyes on him rather than relying on those semi-mysterious DSL numbers. Doesn't sound nearly as raw as Almanzar, the last corner infield bat they splurged on way back in '07. Since then, most of the money has gone to shortstops, centerfielders, and pitchers with a brief interlude in 2010 for the Cubans Ibarra and Linares.
Definitely will be one of the most interesting prospects below AA to follow. In a somewhat related note, the projected Salem lineup is an absolute wasteland, with some moderately interesting pitchers preventing the team from being a total black hole.